Zapf, Boot clash at forum

Candidates seeking to represent District 2 on the San Diego City Council bickered Thursday night over a proposal to lift a 30-foot building height limit in western Clairemont and Bay Park.

During a one-hour candidate forum attended by about 200 people, Democrat Sarah Boot, a vocal opponent of allowing taller builders anywhere in the district, accused Republican Councilwoman Lorie Zapf of flip-flopping on the issue this spring in the face of resident outcry.

Boot said Zapf told residents a few weeks ago that it was possible the height limit would need to go up in neighborhoods east of Interstate 5, where the city wants transit-oriented high-rises on a new trolley line planned along Morena Boulevard.

“Fast forward a week later, and she changed her position,” said Boot, contending Zapf’s support for taller buildings might be connected to campaign donations she’s taken from developers and real estate interests.

Zapf didn’t dispute she’s changed her position, but stressed that she never voted in favor of raising the height limit. Zapf said she’s now firmly against any changes.

“I don’t know how to say it any more clearly — I oppose any changes to the 30-foot height limit,” she said. “Don’t let anyone scare you.”

Boot, a former federal prosecutor making her first foray into politics, attacked Zapf, who was first elected to the council in 2010, on several other issues.

She blamed the incumbent for being part of a council that’s neglected the city’s infrastructure, allowed the Police Department to deteriorate and focused too much on downtown and not enough on neighborhoods.

In response, Zapf said she’s been responsible for major reforms that will give the city enough money to start tackling the problems Boot is complaining about.

Those reforms include pension changes and managed competition, where the city allows the private sector to bid for municipal work.

“I’m known as a problem-solver who finds common-sense solutions,” Zapf said. “I had more pothole repairs in my district last year than any other because we report them for you. You guys are too busy to have to report potholes.”

The battle between Boot and Zapf could play a key role in determining whether Democrats retain the 6-3 majority on the council that they need to override vetoes by Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer. The positions are officially nonpartisan.

District 2, which was represented by Faulconer until he was elected mayor in February, includes Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Midway, Bay Ho, Bay Park and portions of Clairemont and Linda Vista.

Democrat Ed Harris now represents District 2, but is barred from running because he was appointed to the seat after Faulconer was elected mayor in February.

Zapf now represents District 6 but she was forced to run for re-election in District 2 because the boundaries were recently redrawn to reflect population changes.

A third candidate in the race is 32-year-old Mark Schwartz, a Libertarian and fertilizer salesman who told residents at Thursday’s forum that he was there to give them a “third” choice.

The candidates will face off in the June 3 primary. If no one receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will square off in November.

Zapf, 55, has been endorsed by Mayor Faulconer, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Police Officers Association and the Deputy Sheriffs Association.

Boot, 32, has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and Councilman Harris.